New Dimensions in Agricultural Extension Management Triangular Training Program

The following is an excerpt from remarks by Feed the Future’s Deputy Coordinator for Diplomacy Jonathan Shrier at the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) during a recent visit to India. Read his full remarks on the U.S. Department of State website.

Now, India and the United States have another critical opportunity to work together. Despite the progress made since the Green Revolution, 870 million people still go to bed hungry every day, most of whom live in developing countries in Africa and Asia. Women, children, and the most vulnerable members of society are still the most adversely affected by hunger and poverty.

Climate change is a growing global challenge, as are the related issues of shrinking natural resources, a decline in per capita cultivable land, and rising demands for food. Global partnerships, investments in research, and “game-changing” innovative solutions are needed to address these and similar challenges. Our joint collaboration over the last 50 years proves that solutions to address hunger and undernutrition are not beyond our reach.

The time to focus on food security and nutrition is now.

In the words of President Obama, “History teaches us that one of the most effective ways to pull people and entire nations out of poverty is to invest in their agriculture.” At the L’Aquila G8 Summit in 2009, President Obama focused the world’s attention to revive global investment in agricultural development to reduce global poverty.

Stemming from that 2009 pledge, Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative, represents our contribution to the global commitment to address food and nutrition security and re-defines the way we work to address those issues around the world today. Feed the Future efforts are driven by country-led priorities and rooted in partnership with donor organizations, the private sector, and civil society to enable long-term success.

To reach the most vulnerable communities, the initiative focuses on smallholder farmers, particularly women, and supports partner countries in developing their agriculture sectors to spur economic growth, increase incomes, and reduce hunger and undernutrition. The initiative also aligns resources behind science, technology, and innovations that improve the access, availability, and use of food.

We are proud to work with India as a strong partner related to the Feed the Future initiative for at least three reasons.